Word Wall Makeover

It’s Spring cleaning time in my classroom and I started with my Word Wall. Lately, I’ve been talking a lot about Word Walls with other junior/intermediate teachers in my area. I was afraid my Word Wall was becoming stagnant. Sure, I diligently added my alphabetized words as they came up during lessons and discussions, but the students didn’t seem engaged anymore. And what’s worse, they weren’t using it anymore. The same spelling mistakes kept popping up in their work even though the words were posted on the wall.

Some of the teachers in my division had begun to abandon their Word Walls – arguing the valuable wall space could be put to better use. I didn’t want to give up just yet. Another teacher and I decided to change the format of our Word Walls – giving them a “makeover” to hopefully renew the students’ interest. I stripped my old word wall down, removing the alphabetized squares, and started fresh. I decided to organize my words into three columns: Confusing Words, Contractions, and Commonly Misspelled Words. My words are written on colourful polka-dots, which really make my Word Wall “pop”! I finished setting up my new Word Wall today and was very impressed with the final product. The students loved the updated look and I even had one student bring her sister to our classroom at the end of the day to show off our new Word Wall. We’re off to a good start!

My Word Wall words are posted in two separate products: Grammar Dots has over 24 polka-dots for confusing words and contractions, and Grammar Dots 2 has over 50 commonly misspelled words. Check them out by clicking on the links below. Both contain full color and black and white options (these black and white versions can be printed on colored paper to save ink).

Thank-you - The last time I copied and pasted a link it worked, this time it didn't. My fabulous husband fixed it for me this morning, and even made it so that the thumbnail pictures link to the product as well.

Thanks! I just reworked it this year - before that I had the alphabetized wall. My students really liked the change. I get them to use it by requiring them to include a certain number of words from the wall in their writing assignments - they always have fun trying to fit them in.

I really love this idea and am going to purchase the Confused Words and Contractions Dots but the Commonly Misspelled Words don't really fit my needs. Can you tell me what program you used to make these?

I love the look of this - super cute. I wanted to point out, though, that "whose" is not a contraction. Only "who's" is. If "whose" was a contraction, you'd have also included "its" (which you did not). Both are only possessive forms. I'd want it pointed out to me, so I'm letting you know and I hope you are not offended. It's really a great wall!

Yes, I am quite aware that your and whose are not contractions. They are included on that particular space on the wall because they are on the dots that INCLUDE the contractions - to show the difference.

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Welcome to Runde's Room! I'm Jen, and I am passionate about teaching and sharing my upper grade classroom ideas and resources here on my blog. I've taught grades 5 - 8 for 15 years, and currently have a split grade 4/5 class. I love creating engaging, fun, and rigorous activities for my students that keep learning fun. I'm also a wife and a mom to three beautiful little girls, and love soaking up every single moment with them. Be sure to follow my blog to join me on my blogging journey.